Preserving the nyunganyunga mbira tunes through teaching and learning of performance using Sibelius 7

Abstract

The study focused on preserving mbira tunes by using transcription with Sibelius 7. The researcher purposively selected (7 females and 8  males) music students to play the transcribed ‘Bungautete’, ‘Chigwaya’, ‘Guva rangu’ and, ‘Nhemamusasa’ on the nyunganyunga mbira.  Action research and the computer-assisted method guided the lessons. The study followed UNESCO’s decree on Safeguarding cultural heritage aiming to protect the world’s intangible cultural heritage through upholding practices, uses, and expression of knowledge that  communities recognise as vital to their culture. The advent of computers in music education offers advantages to music educators and  students to use emerging technologies in class. The nyunganyunga mbira in recent years gained recognition in primary, secondary and  tertiary music education in Zimbabwe and beyond. Materials from the study are useful in teaching the nyunganyunga mbira to the current  and future generations. The study proffers ways to preserve and present the tunes in print, PDF, audio, MP3, and MIDI formats  as instructional materials. The study affords knowledge on how to use the software in teaching the nyunganyunga mbira. It also provides  material and knowledge useful in schools, colleges and universities in music education. Further studies may be needed to cater  for other mbira types.